Commenting on the Patriarch’s statement, Sioridze, one of the leaders of “Lelo - Strong Georgia,” said that Georgia is not merely facing a demographic problem, but a demographic catastrophe.

“I want to say that our country is not simply facing a demographic problem - we are facing a demographic catastrophe. Of course, depending on the substance of the issue, it can be addressed through certain incentives from the state, such as financial support. The Church had an initiative from Ilia II to baptize third and subsequent children, which had results over the years.

Naturally, any religious institution views everything through its own spiritual perspective.

It is understandable that a spiritual leader may call on his flock to have three or more children. Another issue is how we live in this country, in this hardship, and whether families are able to provide even minimal conditions for those children, given their social and financial situation,” Sioridze said.

The Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Shio III, addressed the faithful gathered at the Holy Trinity Cathedral and spoke about demographic issues.

According to the Patriarch, if there is a “serious sin” in the family, such as abortion, a family cannot build happiness on such a foundation and is “doomed.” He also said that where a child is born once every two or three years, there is happiness.

“As we know from large families, at first it is more difficult - up to the third child - and afterwards difficulties decrease significantly, and it becomes much easier to manage a large family.

Dear brothers and sisters, if we do not reflect on all this, if we do not improve our demographic situation, if we do not work on strengthening, saving, and preserving the family, we face a real danger that in our paradise-like beautiful country other peoples will settle, who love children, do not avoid having children, and protect their religion,” the Patriarch said at the courtyard of the Holy Trinity Cathedral.